Easy Ways to Safeguard Your Hearing This Summer
Finally, it’s summer!!
That means it’s time to go out and enjoy all the fun activities that the season has to provide. But before you go to the beach, the concert, or the backyard barbecue, don’t forget to take care of your hearing.
When you’re out appreciating summer, remember that your hearing can be damaged by loud noises. So it’s important to take steps to safeguard your ears, particularly during the summer months when you’re more likely to experience loud noises.
Here are some activities that are best enjoyed with earplugs.
Going for a swim
Even in clean pools, there can be parasites and bacteria that can result in swimmer’s ear. Earplugs will help keep your ears dry and prevent infection.
While pool-borne infection isn’t usually serious, contaminated water getting into your ear canal can have harmful effects. Temporary hearing loss, pain, and inflammation can be the outcome.
Left untreated, infections can lead to damage to the eardrum and the delicate inner workings of the ear.
It’s not possible to totally stay away from all pathogens in hot tubs or pools, but wearing swimming earplugs will help protect your ears.
Live performances and concerts
Summertime is the ideal time for an evening of live music. Because the entertainers are trying to reach such a big audience, however, volume levels are usually off the charts.
You might be exposed to over 120dB of sound depending on the spot that you’re standing. That’s enough to trigger instant and permanent hearing loss.
Earplugs will block some of that sound but won’t distort it. The level of sound that can be stopped by earplugs will be determined by an NRR rating of between 20 and 33. An NRR of 20 will reduce the sound by 20 dB. So a 120-dB concert will be reduced to around 100 dB.
But that degree of sound can still potentially harm your hearing.
The closer to the speaker you are, the higher NRR you’ll require to safeguard your ears and prevent irreversible hearing damage. Even if you acquire the highest level of hearing protection, you will still be exposed to sounds loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage within 15 minutes. Use earplugs and stand well away from the speakers for optimum protection.
The same applies to indoor concerts, sporting events, plays, movies, cook-outs, festivals, or other events where sounds are being boosted through speakers.
property maintenance
You do it each week, but the grass keeps growing. You take measures such as edging flower beds and weeding the gardens so your yard looks nice. Then you keep the long grass under control with a weed-whacker.
Your hearing will definitely be compromised by the volume level of yard equipment. Earplugs will help decrease the noise from these tools and safeguard your hearing.
If you’re mowing the lawn without earplugs, you’re gradually damaging your hearing and it will become more noticeable over time.
Independence Day
It wouldn’t be Independence Day without them. On the 4th of July, we will all be celebrating our nation’s independence. But fireworks have a dark side. The noise they produce can exceed 175 dB. If you fired a gun right next to your head it would be about this volume.
You’ll absolutely want earplugs if you’re attending a large fireworks show. You should acquire the highest NRR rated earplugs, particularly if you’re close. You’ll still be able to hear the fireworks and they will still be loud, but you’ll be protecting your ears from future hearing loss.
Protecting your hearing is important
Don’t wait until your hearing loss is significant to get help. Most people probably won’t even recognize that their hearing is gradually going until it’s too late, and unfortunately, it’s irreversible. Have your hearing assessed regularly by us to identify your risk level.
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The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.
